Magnetism Lesson Plan: Describe the effects of magnetic forces
Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
This lesson accompanies the BrainPOP topic Magnetism, and addresses standards about identifying cause and effect relationships of magnetic interactions. Students demonstrate understanding through a variety of creative projects.
Step 1: ACTIVATE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Hold two paper clips together to demonstrate that they do not stick together like a magnet. Ask:
- Are these paper clips magnetic? How do you know?
Put the paperclip up to a magnet so that it becomes magnetised and sticks to the magnet. Ask:
- Is the paper clip magnetic now? What changed?
- How do we know if something is magnetic?
Step 2: BUILD BACKGROUND
- Read aloud the description below the Movie player.
- Play the Movie, pausing to check for understanding.
- Have students read one of the following Related Reading articles: “Flora and Fauna” or “In Depth.” Partner them with someone who read a different article to share what they learned with each other
Step 3: APPLY
Students synthesize their ideas and express them through one or more of the following creative projects or activities. They can work individually or collaborate.
- Make-a-Movie: Produce a movie about yourself as an explorer explaining how a compass works and why it is useful.
- Make-a-Map: Make a concept map identifying key features of magnets.
- Creative Coding: code a game that challenges players to sort by objects that are magnetic, temporary magnets or not magnets.
Step 4: REFLECT & ASSESS
- Reflect: After sharing creative projects with each other, students reflect on what they’ve learned about magnetism. Prompt them by asking questions such as:
- What does it mean that some objects are only temporarily magnetic?
- What role do magnets play in our world today?
- What are some functions of the earth’s magnetic field?
- Assess: Wrap up the lesson with a Magnetism Quiz.
Filed as:
3-5, 6-8, 9-12, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.7, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.7
